RMT reps have been joining protests against
Israel's bombardment of Gaza. Here, two reps -
Roy Carey and Janine Booth - report ...

American-backed Israeli planes have been bombing Gaza, targeting universities, mosques, government buildings, infrastructure and even youth centres have been obliterated. Over 380 people have now been murdered by these examples of state terrorism. The British government and that of the US seem to be making excuses for the Israeli regime which they have supported over the years. They do not speak for me and many of the people in this country who are appalled by this genocide. That is why I attended the protest outside the Israeli embassy at Kensington High Street.

The crowd was about 300 in numbers and a very diverse make up. It was good to see a member of our executive there protesting, Olly New. Also recently we have been represented at the protests by Janine Booth and Steve Hedley. We as a union need to speak up for the working classes affected by this conflict, the Jewish working class but the most affected by the crisis, the Palestinian people.

The burning of the Israeli flag took place and lots of chanting directed at the Israeli embassy. There was no violence of any sort, a perfectly peaceful protest. (Something Israel should learn more about).

Please come and show your support in peaceful protest for the Palestinian people now under siege in their own land.

Roy Carey
MATS (management & admin) Rep

Even if you don't usually consider yourself political, you can not fail to have felt moved by the scenes on the TV news of devastation in Gaza. Civilian men, women and children have been killed, injured and made destitute by a bombing onslaught that has been condemned worldwide. I went to one of the protests at the Israeli embassy to add my voice to those demanding that Israel stop its military aggression.

There were hundreds of people there, as there have been every day outside the Israeli embassy. Thousands are expected to join the march through London today.

We do not support Hamas, and neither can we condone rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, but Israel's response has been massively disproportionate and brutal. I - and the RMT - believe that there can only be a solution if the Palestinians are granted the right to form their own, genuinely-independent state alongside Israel.

Please attend further protests if you can, and send your solidarity both to the Palestinian people and to Israelis who are speaking out against their own government's actions, taking part in protest marches and refusing military service.

Janine Booth
LUL Stations & Revenue Council